U.S. patent number 6,402,041 [Application Number 09/727,523] was granted by the patent office on 2002-06-11 for fluid flow control device housed in a thermostatic faucet.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Eurotherm Watts, S.A.. Invention is credited to Laurent Bongrand, Eddy Jelloul, Frederic Regnier.
United States Patent |
6,402,041 |
Jelloul , et al. |
June 11, 2002 |
Fluid flow control device housed in a thermostatic faucet
Abstract
The invention relates to a control device for controlling the
flow of a fluid through a thermostatic faucet comprising a
temperature control device (5) within the body of the faucet for
controlling the outlet temperature of the fluid and comprising a
thermosensitive element (3) and a flow control device (11) for
controlling the flow from the faucet. The temperature control
device includes a control knob (12) and the flow control device
includes a control element (13). This control device is
characterized in that the flow control device (11) is disposed
downstream from the mixing chamber and controls the flow cross
section of an outlet located downstream from the mixing chamber,
and the control knob and control element are located on the same
side of the body of the faucet that houses the control device, and
on the opposite side from the outlet.
Inventors: |
Jelloul; Eddy (Abbeville,
FR), Regnier; Frederic (Yzengremer, FR),
Bongrand; Laurent (Verneuil sur Igneraie, FR) |
Assignee: |
Eurotherm Watts, S.A.
(Fressenneville, FR)
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Family
ID: |
9552845 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/727,523 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2000 |
Foreign Application Priority Data
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Dec 3, 1999 [FR] |
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99 15247 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
236/12.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G05D
23/1346 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G05D
23/13 (20060101); G05D 23/01 (20060101); G05D
023/13 () |
Field of
Search: |
;236/12.2 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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0 566 433 |
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Oct 1993 |
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EP |
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0 605 845 |
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Jul 1994 |
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EP |
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1 022 634 |
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Jul 2000 |
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EP |
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WO 98 35280 |
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Aug 1998 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Tapolcai; William E.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Kondracki; Edward J. Miles &
Stockbridge P.C.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A control device for controlling a flow of a fluid through a
thermostatic faucet having a body (4) with a cold fluid inlet (10)
and a hot fluid inlet (9), comprising:
a temperature control device (5) within the body (4) for
controlling an outlet temperature of the fluid, said device (5)
comprising a mixing chamber (6) and a thermosensitive element (3)
adapted to be plunged into the mixing chamber (6) to adjust the
temperature of mixed fluid by modifying cross-sections (7,8) of
flow to the mixing chamber (6) to hot fluid issuing from a hot
fluid inlet (9) and a cold fluid issuing from a cold fluid inlet
(10),
a flow control device (11) disposed downstream from the mixing
chamber and adapted to adjust a flow cross section of an outlet
(14) downstream from the mixing chamber for controlling the flow of
the faucet,
a control knob (12) connected to the temperature control device and
a control element (13) connected to the flow control device and
located on a same side of the body of the faucet that houses the
temperature control device, and on an opposite side from the outlet
(14),
a rotationally guided jacket (17) coaxial to the thermosensitive
element for transmitting rotation of the control element (13), said
rotationally guided jacket (19) housing the thermosensitive element
(3), and
first and second coupling means, said jacket (19) being
rotationally coupled with the control element of the flow control
device by said first coupling means (20), and rotationally coupled
with the flow control device (11) by said second coupling
means.
2. A control device according to claim 1, further comprising:
a fixed washer (15) and a moveable washer (16) disposed within the
flow control device (11), one on top of the other, each of which
has at least one hole, and
the fixed washer being rotationally immobilized, while the moveable
washer (16) is rotationally guided and rotationally driven, at
least indirectly, by the control element (13) of the flow control
device so as to control flow.
3. A control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
jacket (19) has lateral slots (22) that allow fluid issuing from
the hot fluid and cold fluid inlets (9, 10) to enter the mixing
chamber (6) via hot fluid and cold fluid passages, whose flow
cross-section depends on the thermosensitive element (3).
4. A control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the
flow control device and the temperature control device form a
cartridge.
5. A control device according to claim 2, characterized in that the
fixed washer and the moveable washer are ceramic disks (15, 16)
mounted in a sleeve (27), said sleeve including, at least
indirectly, means (28) for detachably connecting the temperature
control device with the jacket (19) housing.
6. A control device according to claim 2, characterized in that an
intermediate ring (32) coupled with the jacket (19) and with a
sleeve (27) provides a link between the moveable washer and the
jacket.
7. A control device according to claim 1, characterized in that
they moveable washer (16) has in a side (16A) that faces the mixing
chamber, a recess (16B) that receives a boss (31) presented at
least indirectly by the jacket (19), which rotatably drives the
moveable washer (16) located adjacent to the mixing chamber
(6).
8. A control device according to claim 1, wherein the cold fluid
inlet and hot fluid inlet are separated from the outlet by the
mixing chamber.
9. A control device according to claim 1, wherein the flow control
device is detachably connected to the temperature control
device.
10. A control device for controlling a flow of a fluid through a
thermostatic faucet having a body (4) with a cold fluid inlet (10)
and a hot fluid inlet (9), comprising:
a temperature control device (5) within the body (4) for
controlling an outlet temperature of the fluid, said device (5)
comprising a mixing chamber (6) and a thermosensitive element (3)
adapted to be plunged into the mixing chamber (6) to adjust the
temperature of mixed fluid by modifying cross-sections (7,8) of
flow to the mixing chamber (6) to hot fluid issuing from a hot
fluid inlet (9) and a cold fluid issuing from a cold fluid inlet
(10),
a flow control device (11) disposed downstream from the mixing
chamber and adapted to adjust a flow cross section of an outlet
(14) downstream from the mixing chamber for controlling the flow of
the faucet,
a control knob (12) connected to the temperature control device and
a control element (13) connected to the flow control device and
located on a same side of the body of the faucet that houses the
temperature control device, and on an opposite side from the outlet
(14),
a rotationally guided jacket (17) coaxial to the thermosensitive
element for transmitting rotation of the control element (13), said
rotationally guided jacket (19) housing the thermosensitive element
(3), and
first and second coupling means, said jacket (19) being
rotationally coupled with the control element of the flow control
device by said first coupling means (20), and rotationally coupled
with the flow control device (11) by said second coupling means
a pin (29) extending through the sleeve (27), said sleeve (27)
housing the ceramic disks (15, 16), one first end (29A) of the pin
(29) penetrating into a cavity (30) of a ceramic disk, and a second
other end (29B) of the pin (29) projecting outward from the sleeve
so as to cooperate with the body (4) of the faucet.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a device for controlling the flow of a
fluid, housed in a thermostatic faucet.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Particularly in shower stalls, the valve that controls the flow of
hot and cold water to the shower head or the faucet head must
handle not only the on-off function but also the mixing of the hot
water issuing from a hot water source with the cold water issuing
from a cold water source in order to obtain water mixed to the
temperature desired by the user.
There are exclusively mechanical control systems that consist of
adjusting the cross-sections of the hot water and cold water
passages.
These devices cannot correct the outlet temperature when the flow
rate and/or the temperature of one of the two hot water/cold water
conduits is accidentally modified.
There are other known devices in which the hot water/cold water
mixture is controlled by means of a temperature-sensitive control
element plunged into a so-called mixing chamber.
This control element automatically modifies the flow cross-sections
of the hot water and cold water inlets into the mixing chamber by
moving a piece that acts like a slide valve.
There are means that make it possible, by means of a control knob,
to set reference value.
Thus, if the temperature of the water in the mixing chamber exceeds
the threshold set by the reference value, the sensitive element
shuts off the flow cross-section of the hot water passage in order
to prevent burns.
A device of this type therefore controls the mixture of hot and
cold water by automatically modifying the flow cross-section of the
hot water and the cold water passages into the mixing chamber
located downstream.
It is essential, however, to be able to stop the flow of the faucet
when it is not in use.
It is therefore customary to house in the faucet both a
temperature-sensitive mixing device and a device for controlling
the opening and closing of the faucet,
There are known devices wherein the body of the faucet houses a
flow control device at one of its ends and an automatic temperature
control device at its other end, these two devices being joined by
a connecting conduit.
For purposes of control and/or adjustment, each of the devices has
a control element located on one side of the body of the faucet for
one of them, and on the other side for the other.
This makes it necessary to position the body parallel to the wall
from which the hot water and cold water supply conduits
project.
The flow control device can be positioned upstream or downstream
from the temperature control device.
When the two conduits are combined, the opening/closing control
device is generally disposed upstream from the device for
controlling the mixture of the hot and cold water, in order to
insulate the thermosensitive element when the faucet is not in
use.
For example, the control device consists in a set of washers
pierced with holes that in the open position, positions one washer
relative to the other so that the holes of one washer line up with
the holes of the other washer.
As a general rule, the flow control device works in an
all-or-nothing way, meaning that it does not have any intermediate
position, and the principle of these faucets consists of completely
opening or closing the water inlets without the capability to
control the flow rate.
In some cases, especially for faucets installed in sinks
(EP-A-0.605.845 or EP-A-0.342.709), flow control may be provided,
but this requires being able to modify the flow cross-sections of
the hot water and cold water passages simultaneously, which
requires complex hole shapes.
This is the case with the device in the document EP-1.022.634,
wherein the set of disks is installed in such a way that it
controls both the inflow of hot and cold water and the outflow of
mixed water.
There is another known device (EP-0.566.433) wherein the
thermosensitive element drives of one of the three disks in
rotation, constituting a flow control means downstream from the
mixing chamber.
An installation of this type is not appropriate because the
mechanical stresses that are exerted on the thermosensitive element
modify the position of the slide valve that controls the
temperature.
The stresses are extremely undesirable because the amplitude of
displacement of the slide valve is on the order of one millimeter,
and even a slight modification interferes with the adjustment of
temperature.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One of the objects of the invention is to obtain a device of the
aforementioned type that specifically eliminates the aforementioned
disadvantages.
The subject of the invention is a device for controlling the flow
of a fluid from a faucet comprising:
housed in the body of the faucet:
a device for controlling the outlet temperature of the water,
comprising a thermosensitive element which, plunged into a
so-called mixing chamber, adjusts the temperature of the mixed
water by modifying the cross-sections of flow to the mixing chamber
of the hot water issuing from a hot water inlet and the cold water
issuing from a cold water inlet, and
a device for controlling the flow of the faucet,
a control knob for the temperature control device and
a control element for the flow control device located on the same
side of the body of the faucet that houses the control device, and
on the opposite side from the outlet, this device being
characterized in that the means for transmitting the rotation of
the control element is coaxial to the thermosensitive element and
this means is a rotationally guided jacket housing the
thermosensitive element, this jacket being rotationally coupled
with the control element of the flow control device by a first
coupling means, and rotationally coupled with the flow control
device by a second
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be clearly understood with the help of the
following description given as a non-limiting example, in reference
to the attached drawing, which schematically represents:
FIGS. 1 through 3: three partial longitudinal sections of a control
device,
FIG. 4: an exploded view of a part of the control device.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S)
Referring to the drawing, we see a device 1 for controlling the
flow of a fluid, housed in a thermostatic faucet 2.
This device specifically makes it possible to prevent burns in case
of a sudden drop in the cold water pressure and is convenient to
use because of the automatic adjustment of the outlet temperature
of the water.
Conventionally, such a faucet with a thermostatic control element 3
comprises:
housed in the body 4 of the faucet:
a device 5 for controlling the outlet temperature of the water,
comprising a thermosensitive element 3 which, plunged into a
so-called mixing chamber 6, adjusts the temperature of the mixed
water by modifying the cross-sections 7, 8 of flow to the mixing
chamber 6 of the hot water issuing from a hot water inlet 9 and of
the cold water issuing from a cold water inlet 10, and
a device 11 for controlling the flow of the faucet,
a control knob 12 for the temperature control device and
a control element 13 for the flow control device.
The flow control device 11 is disposed downstream from the mixing
chamber and controls the flow cross-section of the so-called outlet
14 located downstream from the mixing chamber.
Flow control is obtained by means of two washers 15, 16 disposed
one on top of the other, each of which has at least one hole.
One (15) of the washers 15, 16, called the fixed washer, is
rotationally immobilized, while the other washer (16), called the
moving washer, is rotationally guided and rotationally driven, at
least indirectly, by the control element 13 of the flow control
device.
These washers 15, 16 are preferably ceramic.
As may be seen in FIG. 4, each washer is pierced with two holes,
which essentially allow the outflow.
It is not equipped with a hole for introducing water into the
mixing chamber.
Advantageously, the control knob and element are located on the
same side of the body of the faucet that houses the control device,
on the opposite side from the outlet 14 so that the means 17, 18
for transmitting the rotation of the control knob and element are
coaxial.
They can also be coaxial to the sensitive element 3.
According to one characteristic of the invention, the temperature
control device is housed in a rotationally guided jacket 19 inside
the body of the faucet, and this jacket 19, which is rotationally
coupled with the control element of the flow control device by a
first coupling means 20 and rotationally coupled with the moving
washer 16 by a second coupling means 21, at least partially
constitutes the means 17 for transmitting the rotation of the
moving washer.
The flow control device is disposed immediately at the outlet of
the temperature control device, without a connecting conduit, which
allows for a reduction in the overall dimensions.
This jacket 19 has two lateral slots 22 that allow the water
issuing from the hot water and cold water inlets 9, 10 to enter the
mixing chamber 6 via the hot water and cold water passages, whose
cross-sections depend on the thermosensitive element.
The slots extend along nearly the entire circumference.
Advantageously, nonreturn valves 23, 24 in the form of rings with a
substantially V-shaped cross-section prevent the return of the
fluid to the hot and cold water inlets.
Facing these slots are annular chambers 25, 26 delimited by the
outer surface of the jacket, the inner surface of the housing of
the faucet receiving the flow control device, and gaskets 100, 101,
102.
Advantageously, the disk-shaped ceramic washers are mounted in a
sleeve 27, which sleeve, at least indirectly, has means 28 for
detachably connecting with the jacket 19 housing the temperature
control device.
The rotational driving and/or rotational locking of one piece
relative to another piece is achieved, for example, by means of
cooperating shapes.
In the example shown, a pin 29 passes through the wall of the
sleeve 27 housing the ceramic disks 15, 16 and one (29A) of the
ends (29A, 29B) of this pin penetrates into a cavity 30 of the
ceramic disk, while the other (29B) projects outward from the
sleeve so as to cooperate with the body of the faucet, for example
a notch in the body, thus rotationally locking the fixed disk
inside the body of this faucet.
Quite clearly, the rotational locking of the fixed disk to the
sleeve, and that of the sleeve to the body of the faucet, can be
obtained with two separate pins, but the preceding solution is
advantageous.
For the driving of the moving disk 16, which is located as close as
possible to the mixing chamber 6, the disk has, for example in its
side 16A that faces the mixing chamber, a recess 16B that receives
a boss 31 presented at least indirectly by the jacket 19, which
drives it in rotation.
Advantageously, the link between the moving disk and the jacket is
produced by an intermediate ring 32 that is coupled with both the
jacket 19 and the sleeve 27.
The temperature control device and the disks can therefore be
replaced without requiring the replacement of the entire
assembly.
Furthermore, the presence of the jacket makes it possible to
produce a cartridge, i.e. a pre-assembled piece comprising the
temperature control device and the flow control device disposed one
behind the other, which need only be slid into the body of the
faucet and is therefore easily replaceable.
The diameter of the intermediate ring and the sleeve are quite
clearly no larger than the diameter of the jacket.
Another advantage results from a possible enlargement of the mixing
chamber, which allows a much better mixture of the hot and cold
water because it prevents the formation of hot or cold streams, and
hence a better control of the temperature.
The hot water and cold water inlets are embodied by channels that
pass radially through the housing of the faucet.
In reality, many faucet manufacturers produce only the body of the
faucet, in which they install flow control devices and/or
temperature control devices that they purchase on the market.
They must therefore allow for the specific technical and
dimensional characteristics of the existing devices.
Thus, they use a cartridge that may be equipped with the flow
control device.
In order limit production costs, one need only provide for the
bodies of the faucets to have a bore that is long enough to house
both devices, even if only one device is installed in it.
FIG. 3 shows that the temperature control device 5 is placed at the
end of a bore, resting against a supporting surface 110.
The slide valve 5A controls the inflow of hot and cold water.
Positioned in front of this temperature control device is the ring
32 that locks the temperature control device, to which the flow
control device can be adapted.
The jacket 19 is extended on the other side of the part housing the
intermediate ring by a jacket 19A housing the stem for controlling
the temperature setting.
The flow control element is attached to this jacket.
The system is easy to produce.
While this invention has been described in conjunction with
specific, embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of
the invention as set forth herein, are intended to be illustrative,
not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from
the true spirit and full scope of the invention as set forth herein
and defined in the claims.
* * * * *